Vapor delivery pad for distributing moist heat



March 18, 1952 z, MARX 2,590,026

VAPOR DELIVERY PAD FOR DISTRIBUTING MOIST HEAT Filed June 14, 1950 4Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

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VAPOR DELIVERY PAD FOR DISTRIBUTING MOIST HEAT Filed June 14, 1950 4Sheets-Sheet 2 V///1 Y/ A V///ll V///.l V//] V///] [7/ W/A V/Al V/A V/ AV/A V A MVAW/AW/AWAIVAVA:

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VAPOR DELIVERY PAD FOR DISTRIBUTING MOIST HEAT Filed June 14, 1950 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. Y ZEPPO MAzx sgwgzt -74 TTaQ/vE Y PatentedMar. 18, 1952 VAPOR DELIVERY PAD FOR DISTRIBUTING MOIST HEAT Zeppo Marx,Beverly Hills, Calif., assignor to Marman Products 00., Inc., Inglewood,Calif., a corporation of California Application June 14, 1950, SerialNo. 168,100

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the hydrotherapy art and has as its generalobject to improve and simplify the treatment of ailments of the humanbody by the application thereto of moist heat. The commonly acceptedmethod in general use today is to apply, to the body of a patient,usually in a reclining position on a cot or hospital bed, towels thathave been saturated in hot water and partially wrung out. Thi practicerequires the frequent changing of the towels as the heat of the residualmoisture therein is dissipated.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved method oftherapeutically treating the human body, wherein heated vapors areapplied to the body of a patient lying directly upon a pad which servesas a distributing outlet for the vapors. The invention contemplatesparticularly the application of heated water vapor or steam, eitherplain or medicated.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus whereby moist heat can be continuously applied to a body at auniform rate. More specifically, the invention contemplates thecontinuous application of heated Water vapor or steam to the body of apatient at a rate that is regulated to maintain a selected treatmenttemperature throughout the period of treatment. To this end, theinvention contemplates the use of apparatus including a steam generatorhaving means to regulate the delivery of heated vapor therefrom, a vapordelivery pad adapted to distribute the hot Water vapors coming from thegenerator to a selected area of the patients body while the patient islying directly upon the pad, and a connection between the generator andthe pad for carrying the hot vapors from the generator to the pad.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a delivery pad soconstructed as to be capable of supporting the body of the patient Whilefreely delivering the heated vapors thereto. Another object is toprovide a delivery pad that Will distribute the vapors quite evenlythroughout its area. A further object is to provide a pad that isrelatively simple and inexpensive, yet rugged and durable inconstruction. A further object is to provide a pad which, together withthe foregoing characteristics, is flexible and adapted to conform itselfto the curvature of the patients body and to the contours of a ieldingsupporting mattress, as deformed by the body of the patient pressingdownwardly thereagainst.

A further object is to provide a pad including an inlet, a plenumchamber for distributing vapors from the inlet, and a plurality ofelongated distributing ducts extending from the plenum chamber, eachhaving a series of progressively arranged vapor outlets in its sidewalls, the ducts and outlets being so constructed and arranged as todistribute the vapor uniformly throughout their length, and beingarranged to collectively provide a support for a patients body, adaptedto support the body without having its vapor distributing functionimpaired. Furthermore, the invention contemplates a pad which, thoughadapted to flex in order to conform to body curvature, will not lose anyof its uniform distributing efficiency as the result of such flexing.

A further object of the invention in one of its aspects is to provide adistributing pad having the characteristics set forth above and, inaddition, being preformed in a spirally rolled shape such as to receivea limb and having means for adjustably securing the same around limbs ofvarying diameters.

A further object is to provide an improved steam generator suitable forthe generation of steam at a relatively slow rate, for use in thepractice of the therapeutic treatment outlined above. Another object isto provide such a steam generator which is of relatively simple andinexpensive construction yet thoroughly dependable in operation. Aparticular object is taprovide such a steam generator which may utilizea conventional one gallon glass jar as a water reservoir for supplyingwater continuously to the generator. A further object is to provide agenerator having a novel and improved temperature control means throughwhich the temperature of the vapor delivered from the generator may beadjusted Without varying the rate of generation of steam. To this end,the invention contemplates the use of valve means for mixing air withthe steam coming from the generator, at a rate that is adjustable tobring the temperature of the delivered vapor to any selected level.

Oher objects will become apparent in the ensuing specification andappended drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing my improved therapeutic treatmentapparatus in position for use in connection with a treatment cot;

Fig. 2 is a perspecive view of the vapor delivery p Fig. 3 is atransverse cross sectional view of a portion of the pad;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the pad taken in a planeparallel to the general plane of the pad;

Fig. 5 is a partial plan and partial sectional View of the pad;

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view of a modified form of the pad;

Fig. 7 is a plan sectional view of another modified form of the pad;

Fig. 8 is an end view of another modified form of the pad;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the steam generator;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the steam generator, parts being broken away;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the steam generator withthermostatic control;

Fig. 12 is a face view of the temperature regu lator;

Fig. 13 is a diagram of the temperature control circuit; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the inlet of another modified form of thepad.

Referring now specifically to the drawings in detail, Fig. 1 illustratesthe general arrangement of my hydrotherapy apparatus, ready for use. Thevapor delivery pad, indicated generally at I0, is laid upon thesupporting surface of a treatment cot or bed II in a position where thepatient may lie upon the pad, with the pad directly beneath the area tobe treated. A steam generator, indicated generally at I2, is positionedupon the floor besidethe bed and is connected to the pad It by aflexible tube I3.

The pad I has a cover I4 in the form of an envelope of heavy terry cloth(such as is used in Turkish towels) .or equivalent material, which aidsin the distribution of the heated vapors to the body of the patient andprovides a relatively soft surface for the patient to rest against,avoiding the harshness of direct contact with the pad itself. Theenvelope I has a mouth to receive the pad, and this mouth may be closedabout the inlet neck I of the pad by means of a draw string I6.

In the practice of my improved therapeutic method, the patient lies uponthe pad I0. Generator I2 is regulated to supply a constant stream ofmoist heated vapor or steam at a selected temperature which is deemedproper for the treatment of the particular patient, and the heated vaporis delivered from the pad It, through cover I4, at a relatively uniformrate over a selected treatment period. The treatment is particularlyuseful in giving relief to sufierers from arthritis, polio and otherailments for which damp heat has been found beneficial.

The pad I6 is of a tough, highly flexible materal such as softrubber,resistant to the corrosive action of heated water vapor. Some of theflexible plastics of the thermoplastic type (e. g. the vinyl and acrylicresins) may also be suitable. To facilitate the construction of the pad,it may be formed in two sections, including a flat, imperforate bottomI1 and a formed or molded upper section IS. The upper section I8 has aseries of parallel hollow ribs I9 each cooperating with bottom I I todefine a steam duct 20 extending longitudinallytherethrough. The ribs I9are spaced apart to define regularly spaced external grooves or channels2|, and are provided with a series of outlet apertures 22 which deliverthe heated vapor from the ducts 20 into the channels 2|. The channels 2I, opening upwardly, deliver the heated vapor directly to the body ofthe patient lying upon the pad. Passing through the cover I 4, the vaporspreads laterally from the channels 2| so as to be distributed fairlyuniformly to the patients body.

The ribs I9 have walls of sufficient thickness so that they will supportthe patients body without collapsing to such an extent as wouldmaterially restrict the even distribution of vapor through the apertures22. The heated water vapor enters the pad through the neck I5, whichcommunicates with ducts through a manifold 23 fanning outwardly from theneck I5. Manifold 23 defines a plenum chamber 24 which graduallydiminishes in cross sectional area from inlet neck I5 to its respectiveextremities.

To avoid collapse of the plenum chamber 24 under the patients weight, itis provided with pillars 60 extending between and integrally united toits top and bottom walls.

To produce a uniform vapor distribution and temperature over the entirearea of the pad, the outlet apertures 22 may be spaced gradually closertogether toward the closed ends of the ducts, as shown in Fig. 5. Also,the ducts may be tapered in cross sectional area from maximum areaadjacent manifold 23 to minimum area at the closed outer ends thereof asshown at 20' in Fig. 6. As an alternative to the close spacing of theholes, shown in Fig. 5, the diameters of the apertures may be graduatedfrom one end to the other of the pad, as shown at 22' in Fig. 7. As afurther means of attaining uniformity of delivery of the vapor over theentire area, the apertures 22 may be staggered on the respective sidesof the ribs I9, as indicated in each of Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

The invention contemplates the possibility of supplying steam to the padfrom a steam line of a steam heating system, in which case the safeoperation of the pad could be insured by the utilization of pressure andtemperature regulating valves in the line leading to the pad.

A temperature regulating valve that has been found to operatesatisfactorily is shown in Fig. 14. The valve, indicated at 6, is simplya butterfiy valve, pivotally mounted in the neck I5 and controlling therate of flow of vapor into plenum chamber 24.

As a preferred means of preparing heated vapors for the pad, I haveshown in Figs. 9-10 of the drawings a steam generator which embodies acasing 25, an annular generating chamber 26 therein, a waterdistribution sump 21 disposed within the inner periphery of thegenerating chamber .26, a water reservoir 28 for supplying waterto thesump 2I, an annular heating element 62 for heating the water in thegenerating chamber 26, and an annular collector hood 29 for receivingthe generated steam and directing it, through an outlet connection 30,to the tube I3.

A feature of the generator is the compact coaxial arrangement ofgenerating chamber 26, sump 21 and reservoir 28. Casing may be ofcylindrical shape, with a bottom 3| supported upon legs or a ring 32 ofinsulating material, and having a sheet of asbestos 33 insulating itsinner surface against the too rapid dissipation of heat from the casing.The cylindrical wall of casing 25 is attached to bottom (H and extendsupwardly therefrom, its upper edge providing a support for thegenerating chamber 26.

Generating chamber 26 is of U-shaped cross section, including an annularflat bottom wall rests upon the upper edge of casing 25. Inner wall hasa corresponding shoulder 39. C01- lector dome 29, which is of invertedU-shape in cross section, has its lower edges resting upon shoulders 38and 39 respectively. Walls 35 and 36 are preferably slanted downwardlyand inwardly so that the generating chamber may be separated from thewall of casing 25 by an air space to minimize heat losses through theside of the casing. Collector dome 29 is of varying height, sloping froma minimum height at a point diametrically opposite connection 36 tomaximum height at connection 30. This facilitates thethermo-convectional flow of steam within collector dome 29 to outletconnections 30.

Sump 21 is connected to generating chamber 25 by one or more tubes 40bridging the annular space between sump 21 and chamber 26. At its upperextremity, sump 21 is provided with an outwardly extending shoulder 4!upon which rests an annular, cushioning seat 42 for the shoulder 43 ofreservoir 28. The seat 42 may be a length of tubing of soft rubber orthe like, flexed into annular shape. Sump 21 has a rim portion 5|extending upwardly from shoulder 4| and is secured in any suitablemanner, as by silver soldering, to the upper portion of inner wall 35 ofthe generating chamber. This provides the support for sump 21.

Attached to the mouth of reservoir 28 (which may be a conventional glassjar of gallon capacity) by means of a conventional cap 44, is a nozzle45 through which water is delivered from the reservoir into the sump 2T,maintaining a level determined by the lip of the nozzle. A correspondinglevel will automatically be maintained in generating chamber 26.

Heating unit 62 is of the electrical resistor type, in the form of aflat ring having ametal casing held in snug contact with the bottom wall34 of generating chamber 28 by means of a bar or spider 45 pressingupwardly thereagainst. The center of bar 35 is attached to the bottom ofsump 21 by means of a stud 46 the head of which is silver soldered orotherwise suitably secured to sump 21, and a nut 41 threaded onto stud45. As shown, bar 45 is of channel section.

Control over the temperature of the vapor delivered from the generatormay be effected either through the use of conventional thermostaticcontrol mechanism, regulating the operation of heating element 28, orthrough the mixing valve shown in Fig. 11 which operates to admit avariable flow of air into collector dome 29 for mixture with the steamtherein, to moderate the tempera ture thereof. In a side wall of dome29, preferably the inner wall, is a series of air inlet apertures 48adapted to register with corresponding apertures 49 in a valve member55. Valve member 50 may be in the form of a ring or, as shown, a segmentof a ring, engaged against the inner wall of colletcor dome 29 andresting upon the upper edge of inner wall 35 of collector chamber 26. Byany suitable means, such as for example, handle 52, valve member 49 maybe rotated to partially or fully close apertures 43. Within collectordome 29, a deflector baffle 53 is positioned in spaced relation toapertures 18, deflecting the steam currents rising from generator 28 soas to create suction in apertures 28, resulting in outside air beingdrawn through apertures 48 into the dome 29, as indicated by the arrowsin Fig. 11.

Fig. 11 illustrates a theromstatic control embodying a thermostat 54attached to the outer wall 36 of the generating chamber so as to responddirectly to the temperatures in this chamber. Thermostat 54 operates tointerrupt the circuit to the heating element 62 when the generatingchamber reaches a selected maximum tem 5 perature, and to restore thecircuit when the temperature in the generating chamber drops apredetermined increment below such maximum temperature. To this end, thethermostat is arranged in series in the power supply circuit includingconductors 55 and 58, between a connector 51 (for plugging into aconventional electric outlet) and the heating element 62. A conventionalheat control adjuster including a knob 58 cooperating with an indicatordial 59 on casing 25, is utilized to set the thermostat 54 for operationat selected temperatures within a predetermined range.

One of the chief advantages of my invention is the concentration oftreatment to the exact area of the body which requires the treatment.This is accomplished, in my improved method, by resting the patientsbody directly upon a supporting surface having, as a component. partthereof, a vapor delivery pad provided with a series of outlets, andadjusting the pad so as to register with the area to be treated. Thearea of the patients body extending beyond the margin of the pad will,under the weight of the body, sag into substantial sealing contact withthe supporting surface around the pad, and thus there will be a tendencyto confine the vapors in a pocket defined by the impression of the padin the patients body. This results in a greatly improved efficiency oftreatment. I am of course aware that the broad idea of applying heatedvapors to a patients body through a pad havin a series of vapor outlets,has been previously proposed, but in each instance where attempt hasbeen made to utilize this broad principle, so far as I am aware, therehas been a failure to appreciate the possibility of concentrating theapplication of vapor to the area to be treated, and greatly improvingthe efiiciency of the action of the vapor on such area, by resting thepatients body on a supporting surface including the pad as a componentpart thereof.

Fig. 8 shows a modified form of the invention in which a pad Illa ispreformed to a spirally rolled form for use in treating a patients limb(e. g. an arm). The pad is suificiently flexible to permit of its beingadjusted to a larger or smaller diameter as required. It may be securedin place about a limb by fastener straps having button holes (not shown)to receive buttons 66 anchored in the outer side of the pad.

I claim:

1. In a hydrotherapy treatment apparatus, for use in connection with ameans for supplying 60 steam or heated water vapor, a delivery padhaving at one end an inlet connection to receive the vapor and having inits upper face a series of depressions and a series of vapor outletsdischarging into said depressions, said pad being 55 provided with ductmeans connecting said inlet to said vapor outlets.

2. In a hydrotherapy treatment apparatus, a generally flat vapordelivery pad having an inlet to receive vapor from a suitable source ofheated 79 water vapor, said pad having an upper face pro vided with aseries of depressions and a number of vapor outlets in said depressions,said pad including duct means branching from said inlet to said outletsfor distributing the vapor 'from said inlet to said outlets.

3. In a hydrotherapy treatment apparatus, a

vapor delivery pad, generally fiat, having at one end a vapor inlet anda distributing manifold communicating therewith, said pad comprising acontinuous body portion and a number of upwardly projecting portionshaving imperforate upper supporting faces, with a series of depressionsbetween said portions, said portions having a number of vapor outletsopening into said depressions, and said pad including duct meansproviding communication between said manifold and said outlets. 4. In ahydrotherapy treatment apparatus, a vapor delivery pad, generally flat,having at one end a vapor inlet and a distributing manifold connectedthereto, said pad comprising a continuous body portion and a series ofspaced, generally parallel ribs projecting upwardly therefrom to definean upper supporting surface and a series of elongated channel shapeddepressions between said ribs, each of said ribs having a vapor ductextending longitudinally therein, communicating with said manifold atone end and closed at the other end, and having, in its side walls, aplurality of apertures communicating with the respective vapor duct andopening into an adjacent one of said depressions, whereby vapor may bedistributed from the entire area of the pad to the body of a patientresting thereupon.

5. In a hydrotherapy treatment apparatus, a vapor delivery padcomprising a generally flat body portion having at one end a vapor inletand a distributing manifold connected thereto, and including a series ofspaced, generally parallel ribs projecting upwardly therefrom to definean upper supporting surface and a series of elongated channel shapeddepressions between said ribs, each of said ribs having a vapor ductextending longitudinally therein, communicating with said manifold atone end and having, in its side walls, a plurality of aperturescommunicating with the respective vapor duct and opening into anadjacent one of said depressions, whereby vapor may be distributed fromthe entire area of the pad to the body of a patient resting thereupon.

6. A vapor delivery pad as defined in claim 1, in which said ribs havewalls of such thickness relative to the dimensions of said channels andducts as to provide support for the body of a patient, suificient toprevent such collapse of said ribs as would result in restriction of thefree flow of vapor from said outlet.

7. A vapor delivery pad as defined in claim 1, including an envelope ofTurkish towel material enclosing said pad and functioning to assist inthe distribution of the vapor to the patients body and also to provide asoft contact surface for the patients body.

8. In a hydrotherapy apparatus, a vapor delivery pad of flexiblematerial having at one end a vapor inlet and a manifold defining aplenum chamber communicating with said inlet, said pad including acontinuous body portion and a series of spaced, generally parallel ribs,integral with said body portion, extending up wardly therefrom andhaving imperforate top walls collectively defining a supporting surfaceand each having lateral walls spaced to define, with said top wall, avapor duct communicating with said plenum character, said lateral wallshaving a thickness so related to their spacing as to support a patients.body without collapse of said ducts, said ribs being spaced to define aseries of vapor distribution channels, open at said supporting surface,and said lateral walls each having a series of vapor outlets openinginto a respective channel.

, 9. In ahydrother'apy apparatus, a vapor d'elivery pad of flexiblematerial having at one end a vapor inlet and a manifold defining aplenum chamber communicating with said inlet, said pad including acontinuous body portion and a series of spaced, generally parallel ribs,integral with said body portion, extending upwardly therefrom and havingimperforate top walls collectively defining a supporting surface andeach having lateral walls spaced to define, with said top wall, a vaporduct communicating with said plenum chamber, said ribs being spaced todefine a series of vapor distribution channels, open at said supportingsurface, and said lateral walls each having a series of vapor outletsopening into a respective channel, said ducts tapering in cross sectionfrom a maximum at said plenum chamber to a minimum at their ends remotefrom said plenum chamber.

10. In a hydrotherapy apparatus, a vapor delivery pad of flexiblematerial having at one end a vapor inlet and a manifold defining aplenum chamber communicating with said inlet, said pad including acontinuous body portion and a series of spaced, generally parallel ribs,integral with said body portion, extending upwardly therefrom and havingimperforate top walls collectively defining a supporting surface andeach having lateral walls spaced to define, with said top wall, a vaporduct communicating with said plenum chamber, said ribs being spaced todefine a series of vapor distribution channels, open at said supportingsurface, and said lateral walls each having a series of vapor outletsopening into a respective channel, said vapor outlets being ofprogressively increasing area toward their ends remote from said plenumchamber,

11. In a hydrotherapy apparatus, a vapor delivery pad of flexiblematerial having at one end a vapor inlet and a manifold defining aplenum chamber communicating with said inlet, said pad including acontinuous body portion and a series of spaced, generally parallel ribs,integral with said body portion, extending upwardly therefrom and havingimperforate top walls collectively defining a supporting surface andeach having lateral walls spaced to define, with said top wall, a vaporduct communicating with said plenum chamber, said ribs being spaced todefine a series of vapor distribution channels, open at said supportingsurface, and said lateral walls each having a series of vapor outletsopening into a respective channel, said vapor outlets being of progressively closer spacing toward their ends remote from said plenumchamber.

12. In a hydrotherapy apparatus, a vapor delivery pad of flexiblematerial having at one end a vapor inlet and a manifold defining aplenum chamber communicating with said inlet, said pad including acontinuous body portion and a series of spaced, generally parallel ribs.integral with said body portion, extending upwardly therefrom and havingimperforate top walls collectively defining a supporting surface andeach having lateral walls spaced to define, with said top wall, a vaporduct communicating with said plenum chamber, said ribs being spaced todefine a series of vapor distribution channels, open at said supportingsurface, and said lateral walls each having a series of vapor outletsopening into a respective channel, said pad including a series ofsupporting posts extending through said plenum chamber and. supportingsaid inanifold against collapse.

13. In a hydrotherapy apparatus, a vapor delivery pad of flexiblematerial having at one end a vapor inlet and a manifold defining aplenum chamber communicating with said inlet, said pad including acontinuous body portion and a series of spaced, generally parallel ribs,integral with said body portion, extending upwardly therefrom 1:;

and having imperforate top walls collectively defining a supportingsurface and each having lateral Walls spaced to define, with said topwall, a vapor duct communicating with said plenum chamber, said ribsbeing spaced to define a series if.

of vapor distribution channels, open at said supporting surface, andsaid lateral Walls each having a series of vapor outlets opening into arespec- 10 tive channel, said pad being preformed in spirally rolled,tubular shape with said ribs projecting inwardly, and having separablefastener elements for securing the pad about the limb of a patient.

ZEPPO MARX.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 758,094 Neely Apr. 26, 19041,578,654 Gerdes Mar. 30, 1926 1,699,356 Harter Jan. 15, 1929 1,777,982Popp Oct. '7, 1930 1,937,316 Butler Nov. 28, 1933

